If you could wave a magic wand and make one aspect of your life, or your child’s life easier, what would you change?
I asked this question in the Not The Former Things Facebook Group last week and received more than 40 comments, from other moms just like me.
As I scrolled through, mom by mom, one answer dominated the very relatable discussion.
If I could take away one thing, it would be my child’s anxiety.
Three years ago, my youngest son finally received his anxiety and panic disorder diagnoses, a full three years after his older brother received his.
Anxiety has been a part of my life as a mom as long as I can remember. Even in the hospital, nursing my newborn firstborn, I remember thinking, “He seems so uncomfortable and stressed.”
Turns out, I was right.
Both of my sons’ have other diagnoses that accompany their anxiety disorders. These diagnoses will often overlap and even escalate the anxiety that they feel, but they never negate it.
Anxiety is here, every day. Sometimes more intense than others, but always here with us.
If you could wave a magic wand and make one aspect of your life, or your child’s life easier, what would you change?
If I could take away one thing, it would be my child’s anxiety.
Help! My Anxious Child Struggles All The Time
I wasn’t surprised when I received an email from a mom last week with the subject line – Help! My Anxious Child Struggles All The Time.
Desperate and alone, she just wanted to know how to help with the constant barrage of stress, pressure, fear and sleeplessness.
In an effort to best help us all, I have put together a list of some of the best resources I can find to help with our children’s anxiety. Some of these are posts that I have written. Most are helpful articles and books I have found that have actually helped me parent my anxious children.
I am sharing them today in the hopes they will help yours as well!
Anxiety on Not The Former Things
Childhood Anxiety Is Real and Our Children Need Help
Separation Anxiety and The Older Child
How Do I Help My Anxious Child?
When Your Child Is Too Anxious To Learn
Other Helpful and Recommended Resources For Parenting An Anxious Child
The Difference Between Typical Anxiety and An Anxiety Problem
The Lies Anxiety Tells Us